Health and Sports: Coaching Self-Belief
Health and Sports Winning Mindset
Mental health and a winning mindset depend upon self-belief. With my students, I develop that self-belief by emphasizing determination, focus, and optimism. With self-belief, an attitude of having the power to succeed forms and the sense they deserve to get ahead, on and off the field. Then, I have done my job.
Self-belief is a concept that doesn’t need defining – it is what it says it is. One may assume that some people have self-belief while others do not, and those without can never reach it. That is not true, although helping athletes without self-belief is not easy, and change comes gradually. But as they say in the Dumb and Dumber movie, “So, you’re telling me there’s a chance.” When I recognize a player who lacks self-belief, I do my best to help them change their attitude, which sometimes works.
I know a thing or two about the power of self-belief. Although I played with little to no confidence, especially at the major league baseball level, I had a deep-seated assurance that things would work out. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but both can coexist. With self-belief, one can be hopeful and perform excellently without confidence. My lack of confidence motivated me to outhustle and work the competition; a good result and a deep self-belief got me through the trials and tribulations.
Following is the winning mindset I try to instill in players who are short on self-belief:
I help players create or maintain an attitude of self-belief through:
1. Growth mindset - A daily improvement mindset and work ethic are critical. Understanding that success comes and goes with discipline creates self-belief.
2. Self-care - Mental and physical fatigue is the most significant deterrent to maintaining the proper attitude. Proper rest and nutrition allow you to concentrate to the necessary standard.
3. Composure – Without patience, corner-cutting and shortcut results, a sure recipe for failure. It is okay to want it badly, but insisting it happens immediately is a sign it won’t happen.
4. Keeping the big picture in mind - Forgetting your purpose for wanting to do it in the first place will make even winning seem shallow. Staying committed to your purpose, not others' reasons for doing it, makes it all worthwhile, no matter the outcome.
5. Focus—Staying in the moment saves time and energy, which you will need as the process progresses.
6. Flexibility - Adapting when needed is the mark of a winner. Failing to adjust leads to mediocrity.
Finally, believing you must do more is not always the answer; instead, it’s about executing what you are good at to the point where you feel capable of overcoming the challenges.
